Training the Submissive Dog

The submissive dog is the complete opposite of the aggressive dog. The timid, submissive dog will consider anyone, canine or human, to be dominant over him and will seek to avoid confrontation, real or imagined. Sometimes when their owners return home, the submissive dog will roll timidly on their back and sometimes pee. This is an annoying behavior. Here are some training suggestions to do to try to change this submissive behavior.

Ignore the submissive dog for the first five minutes after your return home. Reuniting with the owner is a time when the dog may act submissive. By ignoring the dog entirely for five minutes, it will be less stressful to the dog.

Avoid making direct eye contact, which is perceived to the submissive dog as a challenge. Use your peripheral vision to watch the dog. Back up to the dog to greet him. This is less threatening to him.

When greeting the submissive dog, talk in a quiet tone of voice. When interacting, keep your movements slow and deliberate, again trying to avoid direct eye contact. Even when correcting or praising the submissive dog, use a quiet voice.

Build up the dog's confidence with obedience training. As the submissive dog learns more commands, it will help him become more confident in himself because he will understand what you expect of him.

Play with the dog in a quiet, non-emotional way with little or no speaking or eye contact. The submissive dog will learn to enjoy this happy and fun time with you, making him more confident.

Ignore all incidents of submissive behavior such as when the dog begins to roll on his back. Turn to the other direction and ignore the behavior. Walk away from the dog.

Be a leader. Always maintain a leadership role with the submissive dog. When the dog realizes that you are a leader that he can depend on, he will be more confident in your relationship, thereby more confident in himself. Be sure to enforce every command that you give your dog.

Socialize the dog. Take the dog to parks, friend's homes and other places that allow dogs. Let the dog interact with people and other friendly dogs, if the owner approves.

By following the above suggestions, the submissive dog can become a confident member of the family. However, it probably will not happen overnight; so remember to have patience when dealing with the submissive dog.